Pipette Tip System

ABSTRACT

A pipette tip system is disclosed and includes a pipetter and a pipette tip. The pipetter has a suction lumen with an opening and an ejection bar that slides relative to the suction lumen. The pipette tip has a distal end with a distal end opening and a proximal end with a rim that defines a proximal opening adapted to receive the pipetter. The pipette tip also has a central lumen extending from the proximal end opening to the distal end opening, and a pipette tip wall extending from the rim forming the central lumen. The pipette wall comprises a low-force stretch region with a plurality of thinning channels to allow the stretching of the pipette tip wall.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority as a continuation of non-provisionalapplication U.S. Ser. No. 17/487,410, filed on Sep. 28, 2021 titled“Pipette Tip System”, which claims priority to provisional applicationU.S. 63/231945, filed on Aug. 11, 2021, titled “Pipette Tip System, toprovisional application U.S. 63/215728, filed on Jun. 28, 2021, titled“Pipette Tip System”, and to provisional application U.S. 63/228081,filed on Jul. 31, 2021, titled “Pipette Tip System”. This applicationalso claims priory as a continuation of non-provisional application U.S.Ser. No. 17/902079, filed on Sep. 2, 2022 titled “Pipette Tip System”.This application also claims priority to provisional application U.S.63/522766, filed on Jun. 23, 2023, titled “Pipette Tip System”. All ofthese applications are incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to pipette tip systems, and more particularly topipette tips, support cards for same, lids and pipetters.

BACKGROUND

Current pipette tips systems have many drawbacks. First, the pipette tipis disposed of in a support card, but is permitted to move significantlywithin the support card, ultimately rubbing against adjacent tips andbuilding static electricity. This static can misalign the tips, makingit more difficult, if not impossible, for a pipetter to accurately mateand seal with the pipette tip.

Second, the pipette tips are shipped in support cards that areindividually wrapped and boxed with several of these individuallywrapped support cards. During shipping, the individual support cards canjostle against each other, and the pipette tips disposed within eachsupport card and rub against each other, building static electricity.Again, this static misaligns the tips, making it more difficult, if notimpossible for a pipetter to accurately mate and seal with the pipettetip.

Third, current support cards maintain the proximal end of the pipettetip proud of the support card top surface—i.e., the pipette tip is overthe support card surface. This increases accidents caused by users notlifting the pipette tip sufficiently high enough to clear the adjacentunused pipette tips.

Fourth, current pipette tip systems leave unused pipette tip proximalopenings exposed when adjacent tips are being used. This increases thepossibility that the unused pipette tips will become inadvertentlycontaminated.

Fifth, current pipette tip systems do no use a positive stop whenmounting the tip to the pipetter. The user just stabs the pipette tip byswinging his elbow and forcing the pipette tip onto the pipetter.Without a positive stop, the depth that the pipetter travels into thepipette tip (and, consequently, the force exerted) is not uniform fromuser to user. When the pipetter tip has accomplished its job, the userpresses on a button with her thumb, applying a pressure sufficient todislodge the pipette tip. But because the pipette tip is initiallymounted with a large force (sometime upwards of 10-12 lbs.), the usermust then apply that level of force, through his thumb, to dislodge thepipette tip. Multiplying this action over dozens, if not hundreds oftips in on shift, causes significant user fatigue.

What is needed, therefore, is a system that overcomes these problems.

SUMMARY

A pipette tip system is disclosed that overcome these shortcomings. In afirst embodiment, the system includes a pipette tip with a proximal endthat has a rim. The rim defines a proximal opening adapted to receive apipetter, and the rim includes a rim conical edge. The system also has asupport card with a top surface and a pipette tip receiver openingwithin the top surface, the opening adapted to receive the pipette tip,and wherein the opening has a receiver opening conical edge. The rimconical edge and the receiver conical edge are constructed such thatwhen the pipette tip is disposed of in the pipette tip receiver opening,the rim conical edge abuts the receiver opening conical edge, and thetop surface is flush with or nearly flush with the rim.

The top surface may be within +/−0.04 inch of the rim. The rim conicaledge may include a first angle, and the receiver opening conical edgemay include a second angle, wherein the first angle is complementary tothe second angle. The rim may define a rim plane. The rim conical edgemay include a first angle, and the a receiver opening conical edge mayinclude a second angle, wherein the first and second angles are selectedto assist in the alignment rim plane with the top surface when thepipette tip is disposed of in the pipette tip receiver opening.

In another embodiment, a pipette tip system for use with a plurality ofpipette tips is disclosed that includes a support card and a supportcard lid. The support card includes an array of pipette tip receiveropenings arranged in a N×M array, wherein N is less than M. The supportcard further has a short-side card rail edge on an edge of the supportcard along the N side of the array, and a long-side card rail edge on anedge of the support card along the M side of the array. The support cardlid includes a long-side lid rail edge extending from a support cardfirst surface, which is adapted to slidably mate with the long-side cardrail edge, and a short-side lid rail edge extending from a support cardsecond surface, which is adapted to slidably mate with the short-sidecard rail edge.

The long-side lid rail edge slidably mates with the long-side card railedge, and the lid may be positioned to expose fewer than all of thepipette receiver openings in the array. The short-side lid rail edgeslidably mates with the short-side card rail edge, and the lid may bepositioned to expose fewer than all of the pipette receiver openings inthe array.

A base may be added that mates with the support card. The support card(50A, 50B) and the base (70) comprise a tongue-and-groove mating system.The base may include an interlocking structure that mates with anadjacent base.

In yet another embodiment, a pipette tip system that includes a pipetterand pipette tip is disclosed. The pipetter has a suction lumen with anopening and an ejection bar that slides relative to the suction lumen.The pipette tip has a distal end with a distal end opening and aproximal end with a rim that defines a proximal opening adapted toreceive the pipetter. The pipette tip also has a central lumen extendingfrom the proximal end opening to the distal end opening, and a pipettetip wall extending from the rim and forming the central lumen. Thepipette wall comprises a low-force stretch region with a plurality ofthinning channels to allow for the stretching of the pipette tip wall.The system comprises at least three configurations: an insertionconfiguration, wherein (1) the suction lumen (95) is inserted into theproximal opening, and (2) the ejection bar does not abut the rim (27); asealed/installed configuration, wherein (1) the suction lumen contactsthe low-force stretch region, forming a liquid-tight seal between thesuction lumen and the pipette wall, and (2) the ejection bar abuts therim, preventing further insertion of the suction lumen (95); and anejection configuration, wherein (1) the ejection bar is slid towards therim with an ejection force, and (2) it dislodges the pipette tip fromthe suction lumen. The systems may have a plurality of such tips and asupport card to support the tips. An improvement of an existing pipetteris also disclosed.

The ejection force may be less than 5 lbs., and the low-force stretchregion may be located a distance D from the proximal opening, and theejection bar is constructed to slide a distance of approximately Drelative to the suction lumen.

In yet another embodiment, a pipette tip system for use with a pluralityof pipette tips is disclosed that includes a support card connected to abase, wherein the base comprises an interlocking structure constructedto mate with an adjacent base.

Each of the embodiments and feature described herein may be used incombination with each other.

Additional aspects, alternatives and variations as would be apparent topersons of skill in the art are also disclosed herein and arespecifically contemplated as included as part of the invention. Theinvention is set forth only in the claims as allowed by the patentoffice in this or related applications, and the following summarydescriptions of certain examples are not in any way to limit, define orotherwise establish the scope of legal protection.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention can be better understood with reference to the followingfigures. The components within the figures are not necessarily to scale,emphasis instead being placed on clearly illustrating example aspects ofthe invention. In the figures, like reference numerals designatecorresponding parts throughout the different views and/or embodiments.Furthermore, various features of different disclosed embodiments can becombined to form additional embodiments, which are part of thisdisclosure. It will be understood that certain components and detailsmay not appear in the figures to assist in more clearly describing theinvention.

FIG. 1A is a side view of a 10 ul pipette tip.

FIG. 1B is a side view of a 10 ul pipette tip of FIG. 1A.

FIG. 1C is a top view of a 10 ul pipette tip of FIG. 1A.

FIG. 1D is a bottom view of a 10 ul pipette tip of FIG. 1A.

FIG. 1E is a side perspective view of a 10 ul pipette tip of FIG. 1A.

FIG. 2A is a side view of a 300 ul pipette tip.

FIG. 2B is a side view of a 300 ul pipette tip of FIG. 2A.

FIG. 2C is a top view of a 300 ul pipette tip of FIG. 2A.

FIG. 2D is a bottom view of a 300 ul pipette tip of FIG. 2A.

FIG. 2E is a side perspective view of a 300 ul pipette tip of FIG. 2A.

FIG. 3A is a side view of a 1200 ul pipette tip.

FIG. 3B is a side view of a 1200 ul pipette tip of FIG. 3A.

FIG. 3C is a top view of a 1200 ul pipette tip of FIG. 3A.

FIG. 3D is a bottom view of a 1200 ul pipette tip of FIG. 3A.

FIG. 3E is a side perspective view of a 1200 ul pipette tip of FIG. 3A.

FIG. 4A is a side perspective view of a pipette tip illustrating thedistal end tip.

FIG. 4B is an enlarged view of the distal end tip from FIG. 4A,illustrating the distal end undulating circumference.

FIG. 5A is a side view of a pipette tip illustrating the proximal end.

FIG. 5B is an enlarged view of the proximal end from FIG. 5A,illustrating the proximal end conical edge and the angle of the conicaledge.

FIG. 6A is a side view of a pipette tip illustrating a cross-sectionline 6B-6B.

FIG. 6B is a cross-sectional view taken along line 6B-6B of FIG. 6A,illustrating the anti-nesting ribs and the thinning channels.

FIG. 6C is an enlarged view of the angled distal end of the anti-nestingrib.

FIG. 6D is a side perspective view of a pipette tip.

FIG. 6E is an enlarged view of the conical inside edge constructed toabut the angled end of anti-nesting ribs.

FIG. 6F illustrates one pipette tip nesting into another, with theconical inside edge abutting the angled end of anti-nesting ribs.

FIG. 7A is a top view of a support card (10 ul, 300 ul).

FIG. 7B is the long-side view of the support card (10 ul, 300 ul) ofFIG. 7A.

FIG. 7C is a bottom view of the support card (10 ul, 300 ul) of FIG. 7A.

FIG. 7D is the short-side view of the support card (10 ul, 300 ul) ofFIG. 7A.

FIG. 7E is a top perspective view of the support card (10 ul, 300 ul) ofFIG. 7A.

FIG. 8A is a top view of a support card (1200 ul).

FIG. 8B is the long-side view of the support card (1200 ul) of FIG. 8A.

FIG. 8C is a bottom view of the support card (1200 ul) of FIG. 8A.

FIG. 8D is the short-side view of the support card (1200 ul) of FIG. 8A.

FIG. 8E is a top perspective view of the support card (1200 ul) of FIG.8A.

FIG. 9A is a top perspective view of a support card and a plurality ofpipette tip receiver openings.

FIG. 9B is an enlarged view of one of the pipette tip receiver openingsfrom FIG. 9A, illustrating the receiver opening conical edge.

FIG. 9C illustrates a pipette tip disposed of in the pipette tipreceiver opening of the support card, where the top surface of thesupport card is flush or nearly flush with the pipette rim.

FIG. 9D illustrates a side view of the rim plane and the top surface ofthe support card.

FIG. 9E illustrates an enlarged view of FIG. 9D, showing the rim planeand the top surface of the support card.

FIG. 9F illustrates the prior art, wherein the proximal end of thepipette tips protrudes above the support card top surface.

FIG. 9G illustrates a prior art pipette tip sticking to a prior artsupport card.

FIG. 9H illustrates the features disclosed herein to prevent the pipettetip from sticking to the support card.

FIG. 10A is a top view of a support card lid.

FIG. 10B is the long-side view of the support card lid of FIG. 10A.

FIG. 10C is a bottom view of the support card lid of FIG. 10A.

FIG. 10D is the short-side view of the support card lid of FIG. 10A.

FIG. 10E is a top perspective view of the support card lid of FIG. 10A.

FIG. 11A is a top perspective view of the support card lid.

FIG. 11B is an enlarged view of the corner of the support card lid ofFIG. 11A, illustrating the long side lid rail edge and the short sidelid rail edge.

FIG. 11C is a top view of the support card.

FIG. 11D is an enlarged side view of the support card of FIG. 11C,illustrating the support card rail edge (long side).

FIG. 11E is an enlarged side view of the support card of FIG. 11C,illustrating the support card rail edge (short side).

FIG. 12A illustrates the card lid installed on the support card and slidopen to expose two rows of tip receiver openings (a total of 16exposed).

FIG. 12B illustrates the card lid installed on the support card (90degrees from the installation shown in FIG. 12A) and slid open to exposetwo rows of tip receiver openings (a total of 24 exposed).

FIG. 13A is a top view of a base.

FIG. 13B is the long-side view of the base of FIG. 13A.

FIG. 13C is a bottom view of the base of FIG. 13A.

FIG. 13D is the short-side view of the base of FIG. 13A. p FIG. 13E is atop perspective view of the base of FIG. 13A.

FIG. 14 illustrates the installation of the support card (10 ul, 300 ul)to the base, wherein the support card protrusion inserts into the baseprotrusion receiver slot.

FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view of the support card (10 ul, 300 ul)installed on the base with both a 10 ul pipette tip and a 300 ul pipettetip disposed in the pipette tip receiver opening of the support card.

FIG. 16 illustrates the installation of the support card (1200 ul) tothe base, wherein the support card tab inserts into the base tabreceiver slot.

FIG. 17 is a cross-sectional view of the support card (1200 ul)installed on the base with a 1200 ul pipette tip disposed in the pipettetip receiver opening of the support card.

FIG. 18A illustrates two adjacent bases, each base with a baseinterlocking male key and a base interlocking female key.

FIG. 18B illustrates two bases interlocked with on another by use of thebase interlocking male key from one base interlocked with the baseinterlocking female key from the other base.

FIG. 18C illustrates an array of bases (10) interlocked with one anotherwith an interlocking region highlighted.

FIG. 18D is an enlarged view of the four-base interlocking region ofFIG. 18C.

FIG. 18E is an enlarged view of the two-base interlocking region of FIG.18C.

FIG. 19A illustrates a pipette tip system in an insertion configuration.

FIG. 19B illustrates the pipette tip system in a sealed/installedconfiguration, wherein the top rim of the pipette tip abuts the ejectionbar, causing a positive stop.

FIG. 19C illustrates the pipette tip system in an ejectionconfiguration, where the sliding movement of the ejection bar relativeto the suction lumen pushes on the top rim of the pipette tip anddislodges/ejects the pipette tip from the pipetter.

FIG. 20A illustrates the potential shortcomings of using existingpipetters that do not use an ejection bar positioned at the correctdistance to form an optimal seal.

FIG. 20B illustrates a potential shortcoming of using existing pipettersthat do not use an ejection bar positioned at the correct distance toform an optimal seal.

FIG. 20C illustrates another potential shortcoming of using existingpipetters that do not use an ejection bar positioned at the correctdistance to form an optimal seal.

FIG. 21 illustrates a modified pipetter.

FIG. 22 illustrates the modified pipetter inserted into a pipette tip.

FIG. 23A is a top perspective view of a base with a top edge set ofinterlocking keys and a bottom edge set of interlocking keys.

FIG. 23B is a bottom perspective view of the base of FIG. 23A.

FIG. 23C is a front view of the base of FIG. 23A.

FIG. 23D is a left-side view of the base of FIG. 23A.

FIG. 23E is a right-side view of the base of FIG. 23A.

FIG. 23F is a top view of the base of FIG. 23A.

FIG. 23G is a bottom view of the base of FIG. 23A.

FIG. 24A illustrates two bases (each with a top edge set of interlockingkeys and a bottom set of interlocking keys) interlocked along theirrespective short sides.

FIG. 24B is an enlarged view of a portion of FIG. 24A illustrating theinterlocking at the top edge.

FIG. 24C is an enlarged view of a portion of FIG. 24A illustrating theinterlocking at the bottom edge.

FIG. 25A illustrates two bases (each with a top edge set of interlockingkeys and a bottom set of interlocking keys) interlocked along theirrespective long sides.

FIG. 25B is an enlarged view of a portion of FIG. 25A illustrating theinterlocking at the top edge.

FIG. 25C is an enlarged view of a portion of FIG. 25A illustrating theinterlocking at the bottom edge.

FIG. 26A illustrates four bases (each with a top edge set ofinterlocking keys and a bottom set of interlocking keys) interlockedalong their respective long sides and short sides.

FIG. 26B is an enlarged view of a portion of FIG. 26A illustrating theinterlocking of two bases at the top edge on the short side.

FIG. 26C is an enlarged view of a portion of FIG. 26A illustrating theinterlocking of two bases at the top edge on the long side.

FIG. 26D is an enlarged view of a portion of FIG. 26A illustrating theinterlocking of two bases at the bottom edge on the short side.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference is made herein to some specific examples of the presentinvention, including any best modes contemplated by the inventor forcarrying out the invention. Examples of these specific embodiments areillustrated in the accompanying figures. While the invention isdescribed in conjunction with these specific embodiments, it will beunderstood that it is not intended to limit the invention to thedescribed or illustrated embodiments. To the contrary, it is intended tocover alternatives, modifications, and equivalents, as may be includedwithin the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appendedclaims.

In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth inorder to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention.Particular example embodiments of the present invention may beimplemented without some or all of these specific details. In otherinstances, process operations well-known to persons of skill in the arthave not been described in detail in order not to obscure unnecessarilythe present invention. Various techniques and mechanisms of the presentinvention will sometimes be described in singular form for clarity.However, it should be noted that some embodiments include multipleiterations of a technique or multiple mechanisms, unless notedotherwise. Similarly, various steps of the methods shown and describedherein are not necessarily performed in the order indicated, orperformed at all, in certain embodiments. Accordingly, someimplementations of the methods discussed herein may include more orfewer steps than those shown or described. Further, the techniques andmechanisms of the present invention will sometimes describe aconnection, relationship or communication between two or more entities.It should be noted that a connection or relationship between entitiesdoes not necessarily mean a direct, unimpeded connection, as a varietyof other entities or processes may reside or occur between any twoentities. Consequently, an indicated, connection does not necessarilymean a direct, unimpeded connection, unless otherwise noted.

The following list of example features corresponds to the attachedfigures and is provided for ease of reference, where like referencenumerals designate corresponding features throughout the specificationand figures:

Pipette Tip (10 ul Extra Large)  10A Pipette Tip (300 ul)  10B PipetteTip (1200 ul)  10C Pipette Tip Distal End  15 Distal End Opening  16Central Lumen  17 Central Lumen Axis  18 Conical Body  19 Distal EndUndulating Circumference  20 Pipette Tip Proximal End  25 Proximal EndOpening  26 Pipette Tip Rim  27 Rim Plane  27-1 Proximal End ConicalEdge  30 Angle of Conical Edge  35 Shelf  36 Conical Body Angle  37Anti-Nesting Ribs  40 Angled End of Anti-Nesting Ribs  41 Conical InsideEdge  42 Thinning Channels  45 Low-Force Stretch Region  46 First Region 47-1 Second Region  47-2 Third Region  47-3 Support Card (10 ul, 300ul)  50A Support Card (1200 ul)  50B Tall Apron  51 Plurality of PipetteTip Receiver Openings  52 Receiver Opening Conical Edge  55 Angle ofReceiver Opening Conical Edge  55-1 Support Card Top Surface  56Transition Conical Edge  57 Transition Conical Edge Angle  57-1 SupportCard Lid  60 Support Card Lid First Surface  61 Support Card Lid SecondSurface  62 Lid Rail Edge (long-side)  65A Lid Rail Edge (short-side) 65B Support Card Rail Edge (long-side)  66A Support Card Rail Edge(short-side)  66B Base  70 Base Floor  70-1 Support Card Protrusion  71Base Protrusion Receiver Slot  72 Support Card Tab  73 Base Tab ReceiverSlot  74 Base Interlocking Male Key  75A Necked Portion  75A-1 FlaredPortion  75A-2 Base Interlocking Female Key  75B Slot  75B-1 InterlockArray of Bases  80 Four-Base Interlocking Region  85A Two-BaseInterlocking Region  85B Pipetter  90 Pipetter Suction Lumen  95Pipetter Ejection Bar 100 Positive Stop 105 Existing Pipetter 109Ejection Bar Distal Edge 110 Replacement Ejection Bar 100-1 Prior ArtPipette Tip 105 Prior Art Support Card 110 Off-Centered Force 115 Areaof Sticking 120 Torque Motion 125 Shelf-Enabled Spacing 130

The present invention presents many embodiments and many aspects thatmay be used independently or in conjunction. FIGS. 1A-1E illustratevarious views of a pipette tip 10A with a volume of 10 ul, FIGS. 2A-2Eillustrate various views of a pipette tip 10B with a volume of 300 ul,and FIGS. 3A-3E illustrate various views of a pipette tip 10C with avolume of 1200 ul.

Each of these pipette tips (10A, 10B, 10C) may have a pipette distal end15 with an undulating circumference 20, as shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B.This circumference 20 serves many purposes. For example, the undulateddesign keeps the pipette tip more straight and rigid, and allows thedrop from the pipette distal end to evacuate (dislodge) moreeffectively. In prior designs, the distal ends may bend because they arenot sufficiently rigid. When operating the pipetter with prior tipdesigns, the distal end would cling to a drop of the pipette fluid, andthat drop could dislodge during the movement of the pipette tip,contaminating the work area. An undulating circumference 20 lowers thesurface tension at the distal end 15 and discourages the distal end fromclinging to the pipette fluid.

Each of these pipette tips (10A, 10B, 10C) may have a pipette tipproximal end 25 with a proximal end opening 26, and a rim 27 with aconical edge 30. The proximal end opening 26 connects to the distal endopening 16, through a central lumen 17 (see FIG. 4A). The central lumen17 defines a central lumen axis 18. As shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B, theconical edge 30 has an edge angle 35 that is complementary to thereceiver opening conical edge angle 55-1 (FIG. 9B) of the pipette tipreceiver openings 52 (FIG. 9A) in the support card 50A. The pipette tipreceiver opening may 52 may also have a transition conical edge 57formed into the support card top surface 56, with the receiver openingconical edge (55) extending from the transition conical edge (57) awayfrom the top surface (56). As shown in FIG. 9B, the receiver openingconical edge (55) is steeper than the transition conical edge (57)relative to the top surface (56) (compare lines 55-1 to 57-1). The edgeangle may be measured relative to the central lumen axis 18. A shelf(36) is connected to the rim conical edge (30) and a conical body (19)extends from the shelf (36) towards the distal end (15). The conicalbody (19) forms a conical body angle (37) relative to the central lumenaxis (18) and as shown in FIG. 5B the edge angle (35) differs from theconical body angle (37), indeed the edge angle (35) is larger than theconical body angle. When the pipette tip (10A, 10B, 10C) is disposed ofin the pipette tip receiver opening 52 of the support card 50A, the topsurface of the support card 56 is preferably flush with the pipette tiprim 27. When the support card lid 60 is installed on the support card(50A, 50B), as shown in FIGS. 12A and 12B, the flushness of the pipettetip rim 27 to the top surface of the support card 56 maintains thepipette tips substantially fixed relative to the support card (50A,50B), so that the tips do not rub against adjacent pipette tips when thesupport card (50A, 50B) is handled, that avoiding creating staticelectricity that then misaligns the pipette tips. Given manufacturingtolerances, it may not be precisely flush. Within +/−0.04 of an inch offlush would be preferable.

The complementary conical edges (30, 55) self-align the pipette tip(10A, 10B, 10C) into the pipette tip receiver opening 52, stabilizingthe pipette tip and preventing the pipette tip from rubbing againstadjacent pipette tips and creating static electricity. Alignment meansthat the pipette tip (10A, 10B, 10C) is plumb in the pipette tipreceiver opening 52, such that the distal ends of the pipette tips inthe support card (50A, 50B) do not contact one another. The pipette tiprim 27 defines a rim plane 27-1 (see FIG. 5B) that is aligned with thetop surface of the support card (56). The rim plane 27-1 issubstantially parallel to the top surface of the support card (56).

The build-up of static electricity causes the proximal ends of thepipette tips to attract one another, thereby misaligning the proximalends of the tips. This misalignment can prevent an automated pipetterfrom properly inserting and sealing into the pipette tips.

Having the proximal end of the pipette tip flush or nearly flush withthe support card surface has the additional benefit of reducing thelikelihood of knocking over the support card filled with pipette tips.Specifically, when a user accesses a pipette tip and installs it on apipetter, the user then lifts the pipetter with the tip attached. If, asin prior art designs, the proximal ends of the pipette tips stand proudof the support card surface (i.e., protrude past the support cardsurface), as shown in FIG. 9F, the user may not lift the distal end ofthe pipette tip enough and may inadvertently hit one of the adjacentpipette tips that is protruding from the support card surface. This cancause the entire support card to be knocked over, potentiallycontaminating the unused pipette tips.

In the current design, since the rim of the pipette tip is flush, ornearly flush with the support card surface (see FIG. 9C), the user mustlift the pipetter tip distal end higher than the support card surface(56), and will therefore be clear of any adjacent tips at that height.FIGS. 9D and 9E illustrate a side view of the rim plane 27-1 compared tothe top surface of the support card 56. The difference between thecurrent design of the present invention (9C, 9D) and the prior art (9F)is readily seen by comparing the Figures. In contrast with prior art,there is no substantial proximal tip end height that extends up over thesupport card top surface (56).

The features described above are particularly useful given the tighttolerance of a robotic pipetter. Robotic pipetters can simultaneousaccess and mount multiple pipette tips. Typical robotic piptteres allowsimultaneous access to: 96 tips in a 12×8 array with 9 mmcenter-to-center spacing, 384 tips in a 16×24 array with 4.5 mm spacing,and 1536 tips in a 48×32 array with a 2.25 mm spacing. Center-to-centerspacing means the center of a pipette tip to the center of an adjacentpipette tip.

But robotic pipetters require the pipette tips to be very preciselycentered otherwise the pipette tip may become stuck in the support card,and when the robotic pipetter attempts to lift the pipette out of thesupport card the entire tray may follow. Referencing FIG. 9G a prior artpipette tip 105 is the set into a prior art support card 110. If thepipette tip is accurately centered, then the robotic pipetter places nolateral force on the pipette tip and the robotic pipetter can lift thepipette tip out of the support tray without issue. However, if thepipette tip is off-centered, the robotic pipetter will place a force 115on the pipette tip causing the pipette tip to mash into the wall of thesupport card (location 120). Because the pipetter tip is made of aflexible elastomer, the force 115 may cause the pipette tip to stick tothe support card, such that it will not dislodge. When the roboticpipetter attempts to lift away just the pipette tips, the sticking maycause the support card to lift as well, possibly ruining the process.

It is extremely difficult to manufacture pitpette tips and support cardswith the high level of precision necessary to prevent sticking. Minor,and unintentional, manufacturing variations in pipette tip material, forexample, may alter how the plastics are formed within the mold, and thatalteration may affect center-to-center spacing.

The pipette tip and support card designs disclosed herein solve thisproblem. Specifically, the rim conical edge 30 and the shelf 36, work inconjunction with the taper of the support card receiver opening conicaledge 55-1 to prevent the pipette tip from sticking to the support card.Referencing FIG. 9H, a pipette tip (10A, 10B, 10C) is centered in asupport card (50A, 50B). The support card features a receiver openingconical edge 55-1 that complements the rim conical edge 30. A shelf 36allows the pipette tip (10A, 10B, 10C) to self-center and correct for anon-centered mounting attempt, as shown in FIG. 9H (left panel). When aforce 115 from an off-centered robotic pipetter is exerted on thepipette tip (10A, 10B, 10C), the rim conical edge 30 can slide downalong the receiver opening conical edge 55-1 on one side, while theother side of the conical edge 30 lifts away from the receiver openingconical edge 55-1; thus causing the pipette tip (10A, 10 b, 10C) totorque in the direction of arrow 125. To enhance torqueing, and therebyfurther reduce sticking, the shelf 36 provides clearance 130 to morepipette tip (10A, 10B, 10C) movement within the support card (50A, 50B).

Each of these pipette tips (10A, 10B, 10C) may have a cross-section asshown in FIGS. 6A and 6B. Specifically, the pipette tips may includethinning channels 45 and anti-nesting ribs 40. The pipette wallsextending from the pipette tip rim 27 towards the distal end form thecentral lumen 17 and include a low-force-stretch region 46.

When a user jabs and dislodges hundreds of tips during a shift, userfatigue becomes a major issue. Lowering the force (i.e., strength)necessary to accomplish these functions will lower fatigue.

A thinning channel 45 is a portion of the pipette tip wall that isthinner than the other portions of the wall, which allows the pipetterto more easily seal onto the pipette tip because the wall at thethinning channel 45 will allow the pipette tip (10A, 10B, 10C) tostretch more easily around the pipetter 90. This feature can help withuser fatigue, because the force necessary to form a proper seal whenjabbing the pipetter 90 onto the pipette tips (10A, 10B, 10C) is reducedcompared with prior art, as is the force necessary to dislodge thepipette tip (10A, 10B, 10C) from the pipetter 90 when the pipette tip(10A, 10B, 10C) is no longer needed.

The anti-nesting ribs 40 prevent an upper pipette tip from sticking to alower pipette tip, allowing the top pipette tip to be easily removed.The anti-nesting ribs 40 also have a slight angle 41, and the proximalend of the pipette tip may have a conical inside edge 42 that abuts theangle 41 and allows the top pipette tip to self-align when it ispartially inserted into a bottom pipette tip. This is shown in FIGS.6D-6F.

FIGS. 7A-7E illustrate various view of a support card 50A for use withpipette tips (10A, 10B). FIGS. 8A-8E illustrate various view of asupport card 50B for use with pipette tip 10C. Support card 50B haslarger diameter pipette receiver openings than those of card 50A, and ithas a tall apron 51; both of these features allow support card 50B toaccommodate the larger 1200 ul pipette tip 10C. Both support cards (50Aand 50B) have the receiver opening conical edge 55 to allow the pipettetip (10A, 10B, 10C) to lie flush or nearly flush with the top surface ofthe support card (50A, 50B) (see FIGS. 9A-9C).

A lid is shown in FIGS. 10A-10E in various views. This lid can be usedwith either support card (50A, 50B). FIGS. 11A and 11B illustrate aunique structure on the lid—i.e., a lid rail edge (long-side) 65Aextending from a support card lid first surface 61 and a lid rail edge(short-side) 65B extending from a support card lid second surface 62.

The support card (50A, 50B) has complementary structures—a support cardrail edge (long-side) 66A and a support card rail edge (short-side) 66B,as shown in FIGS. 11C-11E. As shown in FIG. 11C, the support card (50A,50B) pipetter tip receiver openings (52) are arranged in a N×M array,wherein N is less than M, the support card (50A, 50B). The lid rail edge(long-side) 65A runs along the M side of the array and can engage thesupport card rail edge (long-side) 66A, as shown in FIG. 12A, allowing asingle short row or multiple short rows to be exposed, depending on theposition of the lid 60 relative to the support card (50A, 50B).Alternatively, the lid 60 can be flipped, and the lid rail edge(short-side) 65B that runs along the N side of the array can engage thesupport card rail edge (short-side) 66B, as shown in FIG. 12B, allowinga single long row or multiple long rows to be exposed, again dependingon the position of the lid 60 relative to the support card (50A, 50B).Limiting the exposure of the pipette tips to only those rows needing tobe uncovered prevents the uncovered and unused pipette tips frombecoming contaminated. Also, the unique design of the lid 60 and supportcards (50A, 50B) permits the use of multi-pipetters, which generallyallows the simultaneous loading of a row of 8 or 12 pipette tips.

FIGS. 13A-13E illustrate the base 70 with a base floor 70-1 that may beused with either support card 50A or 50B, and any one of the sizes ofpipette tips (10A, 10B, 10C). FIG. 14 illustrates a support card 50Amating with a base 70, using support card protrusions 71 that mate withbase protrusion receiver slots 72. Shown in FIG. 15 is a see-throughview of the support card 50A mated with the base 70, and two differentlysized pipette tips (10A, 10B) disposed of in the pipette tip receiveropenings 52 of the support card 50A. The support card 50A suspends thepipette tips (10A, 10B) above the base floor 70-1. FIG. 16 illustrates asupport card 50B mating with a base 70, this time using support cardtabs 73 on the support card 50B that insert into the base tab receiverslots 74 on the base 70. Of course, the protrusion 71 could be insteadon the base 70 and the receiver slot 72 on the support card 50A, whichwould be an obvious variation without departing from the scope of thepresent invention. Likewise, the tab 73 could instead be on the base 70,and the slot 74 could instead be on the support card 50B, withoutdeparting from the present invention. This is more generally referred toas a tongue-and-groove mating system.

Shown in FIG. 17 is a see-through view of the support card 50B matedwith base 70, and a pipette tip 10C disposed of in a pipette tipreceiver opening 52 of the support card 50B. It should be noted that thepipette tip receiver openings 52 of support card 50B are larger thanthose of support card 50A, which requires the tall apron 51 to mount ontop of the base to accommodate the larger diameters of the pipette tipreceiver openings 52, and the corresponding larger diameters of thepipette tip 10C.

FIG. 18A illustrates the use of the base interlocking male key 75A onone base 70 and the base interlocking female key 75B on an adjacent base70, and the mating of those structures to interlock the bases 70 to eachother as shown in FIG. 18B, by moving the bases laterally relative toeach other (see movement arrow in FIG. 18A). The interlocking male key75A is comprises of a necked portion 75A-1 and a flared portion 75A-2(see. FIG. 18E), while the female portion is comprised of a slot 75B-1.When the interlocking female key 75B and male key 75A of adjacent basesinterconnect, the slot 75B-1, which is more narrow than the width of theflared portion 75A-1, expands to allow the flared portion 75A-1 toenter, and then closes around the necked portion 75A-1 when fully mated.This is shown by arrow 75B-2, where the slot 75B-1 is closed around thenecked portion 75A-2. Each corner on the base may include both a baseinterlocking male key 75A and a base interlocking female key 75B, suchthat an array 80 of bases may be interlocked, with a four-baseinterlocking region 85A and a two-base interlocking region 85B (FIGS.18D and 18E). In practice, there may be a second support card connectedto a second base, wherein the second base includes a second interlockingstructure that can interlock with an adjacent base. As shown in FIG.18C, ten bases are interlocked to form a single structure. Although notshown, each of the bases in FIG. 18C, may be connected to a support cardand pipette tips may be disposed of in the support cards.

Currently, pipette tips are loaded into a support card, and the card isindividually packaged in a box, and several boxes are wrapped in a heatshrink seal. This is a tremendous amount of wasteful packaging, and theheat shrink wrap often has static that makes it difficult to fullyunwrap prior to use. This individual base packaging is necessary toprevent the bases from shifting during shipping or cutting into thepacking and comprising their sterility. But by having the bases 70interlock, the pipette tips can be more efficiently shipped and handled.An array of bases 80 can be interlocked and loaded with pipette tips,and the entire array can be sealed using a hermetically sealed bag. Theuser can open the bag, separate one of the bases containing pipettetips, and re-seal the unused tips. Since the bases are interlocked, theywill not shift relative to each other during shipping and handling.Also, the corners of the base 70 are rounded to prevent the base fromcutting the packing during shipping.

FIGS. 23A-23G illustrate various view of a base 70 with a top edge setof interlocking keys (86A, 86B) and a bottom edge set of interlockingkeys (87A, 87B), on both the long side 88A and the short side 88B. FIG.23F (top view) provides a good view for all these features.

FIG. 24A illustrates two adjacent bases, each with a top edge set ofinterlocking keys (86A, 86B) and a bottom set of interlocking keys (87A,87B), interlocked along their respective short sides 88A. FIG. 24B is anenlarged view of a portion of FIG. 24A illustrating the interlockingwith the top edge interlocking keys (86A, 86B), while FIG. 24C is anenlarged view of a portion of FIG. 24A illustrating the interlockingwith the bottom edge interlocking keys (87A, 87B).

FIG. 25A illustrates two adjacent bases, each with a top edge set ofinterlocking keys (86A, 86B) and a bottom set of interlocking keys (87A,87B), interlocked along their respective long sides 88B. FIG. 25B is anenlarged view of a portion of FIG. 25A illustrating the interlockingwith the top edge interlocking keys (86A, 86B), while FIG. 25C is anenlarged view of a portion of FIG. 25A illustrating the interlockingwith the bottom edge interlocking keys (87A, 87B).

FIG. 26A illustrates four adjacent bases, each with a top edge set ofinterlocking keys (86A, 86B) and a bottom set of interlocking keys(87A,87B) interlocked along their respective long sides 88B and short sides88A. FIG. 26C is an enlarged view of a portion of FIG. 26A illustratingthe interlocking of two bases with the top edge interlocking keys (86A,86B) along the long side 88A. FIG. 25D is an enlarged view of a portionof FIG. 25A illustrating the interlocking of two bases with the bottomedge interlocking keys (87A, 87B) along the short side 88A.

FIGS. 19A -19C illustrate the positive stop features of the presentsystem. First, FIG. 19A illustrates the system in an insertionconfiguration, where the pipetter 90 is locating and is approaching thetop proximal opening of the pipette tip 10A. The pipetter 90 has asuction lumen 95 that inserts into the top proximal opening 26 of thepipette tip, and an ejection bar 100 that can be engaged to sliderelative to the suction lumen 95 (shown by arrow 97) to push against thetop rim 27 of the pipette tip to dislodge and to eject the pipette tip10A from the pipetter 90. In the insertion configuration, (1) thesuction lumen 95 is inserted into the proximal opening 26, and (2) theejection bar 100 does not abut the rim 27 because it is in the unengagedposition.

Next, FIG. 19B illustrates the sealed/installed configuration, where thepipette tip 10A is installed and sealed on the pipetter suction lumen95, wherein the top rim 27 of the pipette tip 10A abuts the ejection bar100, causing a positive stop 105. In other words, the pipetter 90 cannotbe inserted further into the pipette tip 10A. Preferably, the suctionlumen 95 would be inserted a sufficient distance into the pipette tip10A to reach the thinning channel 45. Recall that these channels 45 area portion of the pipette tip wall's low-force stretch region 46 that isthinner than the other portions of the wall, allowing the pipetter 90 tomore easily seal onto the pipette tip 10A because the wall 46 at thethinning channel 45 will allow the pipette tip 10A to stretch moreeasily around the pipetter 90. This feature can help with user fatigue,because the force necessary to form a proper seal when jabbing thepipetter 90 onto the pipette tips 90A is lowered, as is the forcenecessary to dislodge the pipette tip 10A from the pipetter 90 when thepipette tip 10A is no longer needed.

After the pipette tip 10A has served its purpose, FIG. 19C illustratesthe ejection configuration, where the user engages the ejection bar 100by pressing a button that causes the ejection bar to slide relative tothe suction lumen (in the direction of arrow 97) towards the rim 27,pushing on the rim 27 and thereby dislodging/ejecting the pipette tip10A from the suction lumen 95 of the pipetter 90.

In prior designs, a user could jab the pipetter into the pipette tipwith a strong force (this is generally accomplished by bending theuser's arm, so the strong force is easy to attain). But when the pipettetips needs to be ejected, a correspondingly strong force is needed, butthe force is accomplished by pushing a button with the user's thumb.Sometime 10 or 12 lbs. of pressure is needed to dislodge and to ejectthe pipette tip in prior art systems. This will quickly cause userfatigue.

Because the present system has a positive stop 105 and preferably usesthinning channels 45, it can be designed to have a constant seal forceand a constant ejection force, both of which can be lower compared tothe prior art systems, thereby reducing user fatigue. As a non-limitingexample, a force of less than 5 lbs. can both seal and eject the pipettetips, and more preferably a force of less than 2 lbs. is needed.

An existing pipetter 109 may have a distal edge 110 of the ejection bar100 a distance of D_(old) from the suction lumen opening 95, as shown inFIG. 20A. If D_(old) is too short, as shown in FIG. 20B, then suctionlumen 95 will not reach the low-force stretch region 46 of the pipettetip because the ejection bar will prevent further insertion; thus, thepipetter 109 will not seal with the pipette tip. If D_(old) is too long,as shown in FIG. 20C, then suction lumen 95 will extend far into thepipette tip past the low-force stretch region 46 and may seal with thepipette tip, but will do so with a large insertion force. Also. theejection bar has done nothing to regulate the insertion distance in thiscase. Ejecting the pipette tip in FIG. 20C will require a large,fatigue-inducing, ejection force. FIG. 20C illustrates the currentdesign of many pipette tip systems.

By replacing the ejection bar with one of an appropriate length,existing pipetters can be modified to effectuate the positive stopdescribed above. Specifically, changing the ejection bar with areplacement ejection bar (shown as part 100-1 in FIG. 21 ) to have adistal edge 110 in an unengaged position that is a distance D1 from thesuction lumen opening 95 that is approximately the same distance as thedistance D2 between the rim 27 and the low-force stretch region 46results in a positive stop system. This is shown graphically in FIGS. 21and 22 . This allows users to continue using existing equipment withslight modification, achieving a low-force positive stop system that ishighly reliable and reduces user fatigue.

The invention has been described in connection with specific embodimentsthat illustrate examples of the invention but do not limit its scope.Various example systems have been shown and described having variousaspects and elements. Unless indicated otherwise, any feature, aspect orelement of any of these systems may be removed from, added to, combinedwith or modified by any other feature, aspect or element of any of thesystems. As will be apparent to persons skilled in the art,modifications and adaptations to the above-described systems and methodscan be made without departing from the spirit and scope of theinvention, which is defined only by the following claims. Moreover, theapplicant expressly does not intend that the following claims “and theembodiments in the specification to be strictly coextensive.” Phillipsv. AHW Corp., 415 F.3d 1303, 1323 (Fed. Cir. 2005) (en banc).

1. A pipette tip (10A, 10B, 10C) for use with a pipetter (90), thepipette tip (10A, 10B, 10C) comprising: a distal end (15) with a distalend opening (16); a proximal end (25) with a rim (27), the rim (27)defining a proximal end opening (26) adapted to receive the pipetter(90); a central lumen (17) extending from the proximal end opening (26)to the distal end opening (16); and a pipette tip wall extending fromthe rim (27), the pipette tip wall forming the central lumen (17), thewall comprising: a plurality of anti-nesting ribs (40); a low-forcestretch region (46) located a distance D from the proximal end opening(26) with a plurality of thinning channels (45) to allow stretching ofthe pipette tip wall and the plurality of anti-nesting ribs (40) are notpresent; and a second region, located closer to the distal end (15) thanthe low-force stretch region (46), where the plurality of thinningchannels (45) and a plurality of anti-nesting ribs (40) are present. 2.The pipette tip (10A, 10B, 10C) of claim 1, wherein the pipettercomprises a suction lumen (95) with an opening and an ejection bar (100)that is located at a distance of at least D relative to the suctionlumen (95) in an unengaged configuration characterized by the absence ofa sliding force on the ejection bar (100), the pipette tip constructedto have at least two configurations: sealed/installed configuration,wherein (1) the suction lumen (95) contacts the low-force stretch region(46), forming a liquid-tight seal between the suction lumen (95) and thepipette tip wall, and (2) the ejection bar (100) abuts the rim (27),preventing further insertion of the suction lumen (95); an ejectionconfiguration, wherein (1) the ejection bar (100) is slid towards therim (27) with an ejection force, and (2) the ejection bar 100 dislodgesthe pipette tip (10A, 10B,10C) from the suction lumen (95).
 3. Thepipette tip (10A, 10B, 10C) of claim 1, wherein the pipette tip wallcomprises a first region, located closer to the proximal end (25) thanthe low-force stretch region (46), wherein neither the plurality ofthinning channels (45) nor anti-nesting ribs (40) are present.
 4. Thepipette tip (10A, 10B, 10C) of claim 1, wherein the pipette tip wallcomprises a third region, located closer to the proximal end (25) thanthe second region (46), where the plurality of thinning channels (45)are present and the plurality of anti-nesting ribs (40) are not present.5. The pipette tip (10A, 10B, 10C) of claim 1, wherein each in theplurality of anti-nesting ribs (40) comprises an angled edge (41). 6.The pipette tip (10A, 10B, 10C) of claim 1, wherein the rim (27)comprises a conical 20 edge (30).
 7. The pipette tip (10A, 10B, 10C) ofclaim 1, wherein the distal end (15) comprises an undulating edge (20).